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La Rochelle vs Leinster Predictions & Tips - La Rochelle could cause an upset in European Champions Cup

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 28 Apr 2021

Ralph Staniforth 28 Apr 2021

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La Rochelle vs Leinster predictions for Sunday’s European Champions Cup semi-final clash
Match is being played at 16:00 SAST at Stade Marcel Defladre in La Rochelle
La Rochelle have won 12 of their last 13 home games
I'm backing La Rochelle to finish within 7 points of Leinster and possibly win
Betting tips, predictions and team news for La Rochelle vs Leinster

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La Rochelle vs Leinster Predictions

Leinster are going for their fifth European title this season and are favoured to get past La Rochelle on Sunday afternoon. However, the French outfit are very strong at home, with 12 victories in their last 13 matches on their own patch. My best bet is for La Rochelle to lose by less than seven points, while a win for the home side should not be ruled out entirely.

Leinster have won 18 of their last 21 matches (all competitions).
La Rochelle have won 12 of their last 13 home matches (all competitions).
La Rochelle have lost by 4 or less points in 4 of their last 5 defeats.

Head to Head

This is the first ever meeting between Leinster and La Rochelle.

La Rochelle Form

La Rochelle qualified for the semi-final of the European Champions Cup by seeing off Gloucester 27-16 in the round of 16 and Sale Sharks 45-21 in the quarter-final.

In the Top 14 La Rochelle are also enjoying a fine season as they sit second on the table, five points off Toulouse with a game in hand. It has been quite a breakthrough season for the men from La Rochelle.

Since their quarter-final victory over Sale, La Rochelle have only placed one match. That ended in a convincing 38-23 home victory over Lyon.

La Rochelle Injuries & Team News

Raymond Rhule was rested at the weekend and should return to outside centre. The former winger has been in the form of his life this season, one of the many reasons La Rochelle have enjoyed such a good season.

Leinster Form

Leinster received a bye into the quarter-final of the Champions Cup because Toulon couldn’t field a team due to COVID-19 infections. In the quarter-final Leinster beat defending European champions, Exeter Chiefs 34-22 away from home.

The Pro14 was completed at the end of March, a competition Leinster won yet again. They beat arch-rivals Munster, 16-6 in the final. During the tournament Leinster won 14 of their 16 matches.

This past weekend saw Leinster play the opening round of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup where they got hammered 27-3 at home by Munster. It is worth noting that it was not Leinster’s strongest side as they kept players fresh for this European semi-final.

Leinster Injuries & Team News

In a massive blow to Leinster, captain and flyhalf, Jonny Sexton has been ruled out of this match with concussion. Ross Byrne will replace Sexton in the no. 10 jersey.

James Ryan and Garry Ringrose are also both available after recently returning from injury.

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Verdict

La Rochelle v Leinster

La Rochelle have been fantastic at home, with 12 wins in their last 13 games. Leinster are a quality outfit, but they are missing Jonny Sexton. I'm tipping La Rochelle to finish within seven points of the Irish team and with a bit of luck, they could cause an upset and reach the final.

La Rochelle +7

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Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.